What happens when you ignite a firecracker inside a transparent balloon? YouTube user WorldScott sets his blue laser to the task, and amazingly, the balloon makes it out intact.

In the video details, WorldScott explains why this trick works with transparent balloons, but not opaque ones:

Further details about this video: The balloon used in this demonstration was not fully inflated. Fully inflated balloons will not behave in the same manner. The laser does not pop the transparent balloon because the energy of the laser beam light passes through it virtually unhindered. In the bonus clip the balloons pop because they are dark and opaque. The dark and opaque material absorbs the light energy and converts it into heat. The heat burns the balloon and causes it to fail and pop.

WorldScott has dozens of other laser-centered videos, including a few more balloony explosions.